lots and lots of rocks

I wanted to give you some garden updates. We have had an overwhelming response of volunteers, which is amazing! If you are scheduled already for a regular volunteer spot (see attached), please let me know if you don’t think you will be able to commit to two days a month because I have started a waiting list for other volunteers. We will be planning group garden days and some other projects in order to utilize all of our wonderful volunteers. More information on those to come…

Other stuff:

Shepherd Kids

The Shepherd kids will be coming up to Grace every Monday and Wednesday. The times aren’t set in stone yet, but they will likely be up here from around 10am – 1pm. Anyone is welcome to come out and join them, even if it isn’t your set volunteer time. There will probably be around 10-15 middle school aged kids.

Garden Space

The garden is located on the far northeastern edge of Grace’s property. If you park at the far northeastern end of the north parking lot, there is a dirt “drive,” and the garden stretches from the pond just north of the parking lot to the large mound just south of the subdivision. You are welcome to drive back there, but be careful if the ground is wet because you’re likely to get stuck.

Planting Plans

We are hoping to have the ground prepared for the Shepherd kids to plant the week of June 8th. Between now and then, there is quite a bit of work that we need your help with in order to prepare the soil. We are planning on creating beds next weekend (June 7-8), so, if you are free and come out to help, WE NEED YOU! The weather may delay our schedule, so I’ll get back with you about final details but, if you are available and want to help out, please let me know.

ROCKS!

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:3-8

Like the farmer in the parable, we want our soil to be as good and suitable as possible. We need to pick up rocks out at the garden site in order to ready the ground for tilling and planting. If you are available anytime this week, please come out and pick up a few rocks. I know it’s not the most exciting job in the world, but it is one that needs to be done. Because of the delay in planting, we won’t start the “official” garden schedule until the following week. This week will be a free-for-all for anyone wanting to come pick up some rocks (I’ve heard it makes a great job for kids fresh out of school!).

Here’s the plan: I have started little stacks of rocks along the west side of the garden. When you go out there, just throw the rocks you pick up into the existing piles as you work your way down the rows (just add to the existing stacks, so that we don’t have to move the rocks again before we plant). We should be picking up any rocks larger than the size of a small lemon. I would recommend bringing a trowel and some gloves, as well as a larger shovel, if you have one. Don’t forget to bring water, a hat and some sunscreen too!

Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll look forward to seeing you out at the garden either this week or next weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much in advance for your help whenever you can make it!